This blog deals with techniques that can be used by students of partner dance (Swing, Latin, Ballroom etc.) to improve their speed of learning. It's all about being a better student, and learning faster.

10/28/2012

Can I dance as well as they can? Well why not?

Last night I was talking to a friend who is also a fellow
dancer about our experiences dancing. Interestingly enough we actually do not
know each other through dancing. In fact, we have never even been to the same
dance event. We actually know each other through an interest in electric vehicles
and last night we were catching a train home after going to the annual general
meeting of the Alternative Technology Association. You meet dancers all over
the place. While we were talking we got onto the topic of improvement and my
friend said something interesting that I thought was worth sharing.

My friend pointed out to me that he had realised that my
basic attitude to dance was that if there is something I can’t do, then I just
view it as a challenge that needs to be overcome. We were talking about the
issue we each have to face. He had had really good musicality his whole life,
but his physicality needed work and I was basically the opposite. We then spoke
about other people who seemed to dance for quite a while, but never really
improved. It seemed that some people either feel they can’t, don’t really want
to or aren’t prepared to put in the required effort to improve.

My friend had a different take on things. He simply said to
himself ‘If they can do it, then I can too.’ ‘They’ was basically anyone else
he saw dancing. I think the end effect
is the same – you just keep working at your dance and you get better. However,
I think some people might prefer the attitude my friend has because it is more
future focused. The idea of simply working at a problem is perhaps more present
focused. As long as you keep working now, ten you will get better. However,
looking at others and using them as a guide while knowing you can be that good,
might be a good vision for you. You might also find that knowing others have
done this makes it easier for you.

So if you’re ever feeling that dance is all too hard, then
try thinking about others who can dance well. What do the REALLY have that you
do not? If they can do it, then so you can you. This might give you that extra
shot of motivation of practice that you really need to improve.

Comments

Can I dance as well as they can? Well why not?

Last night I was talking to a friend who is also a fellow
dancer about our experiences dancing. Interestingly enough we actually do not
know each other through dancing. In fact, we have never even been to the same
dance event. We actually know each other through an interest in electric vehicles
and last night we were catching a train home after going to the annual general
meeting of the Alternative Technology Association. You meet dancers all over
the place. While we were talking we got onto the topic of improvement and my
friend said something interesting that I thought was worth sharing.

My friend pointed out to me that he had realised that my
basic attitude to dance was that if there is something I can’t do, then I just
view it as a challenge that needs to be overcome. We were talking about the
issue we each have to face. He had had really good musicality his whole life,
but his physicality needed work and I was basically the opposite. We then spoke
about other people who seemed to dance for quite a while, but never really
improved. It seemed that some people either feel they can’t, don’t really want
to or aren’t prepared to put in the required effort to improve.

My friend had a different take on things. He simply said to
himself ‘If they can do it, then I can too.’ ‘They’ was basically anyone else
he saw dancing. I think the end effect
is the same – you just keep working at your dance and you get better. However,
I think some people might prefer the attitude my friend has because it is more
future focused. The idea of simply working at a problem is perhaps more present
focused. As long as you keep working now, ten you will get better. However,
looking at others and using them as a guide while knowing you can be that good,
might be a good vision for you. You might also find that knowing others have
done this makes it easier for you.

So if you’re ever feeling that dance is all too hard, then
try thinking about others who can dance well. What do the REALLY have that you
do not? If they can do it, then so you can you. This might give you that extra
shot of motivation of practice that you really need to improve.